Peace and beauty abounds at Red Butte Garden

Posted By Allison on Apr 16, 2012

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UPDATED MAY 2015

The weather is getting warmer, the daffodils and tulips are popping up in our yard and the hopefulness of spring is stirring in my soul. It is a perfect time to visit Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City. The gardens are a peaceful urban retreat that offers lots of room for exploration.

Overview

Red Butte Garden is home to several of themed gardens including a Rose Garden, Herb Garden, Secret Garden, Floral Walk, Children’s Garden and more. The Four Seasons Courtyard near the front entrance has a grassy hill that is irresistible for kids to like to run up and roll back down. Red Butte Garden is nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, so in addition to exploring the groomed gardens, you can wander natural areas as well.

During warm weather months, free tram tours are offered between 10 am and 1 pm. However, I think the best part of visiting Red Butte Garden is exploring on foot and taking in the wonderful colors and scents slowly. Red Butte Garden is fun for families, but it is also a romantic place to bring your spouse or date.

Children’s Garden

If you’re visiting with children, you won’t want to miss Red Butte Garden’s Children’s Garden. Here, you’ll find a maze, splash pad, koi pond, waterfall and other fun features that the whole family is likely to enjoy. You may want to dress kids in swimsuits under their clothes or bring a change of clothes for the splash pad.

Bring a picnic

The “treehouse” patios at Red Butte Garden are among my favorite places to bring a picnic in Salt Lake City. They are located in a hilly section of the garden where the wide paved path moves up the hill in long switchbacks and two small patios with tables and chairs are nestled in the trees growing from below. If the garden isn’t crowded, it’s easy to feel that you have the entire place to yourself.

Free Days

Red Butte Garden is well worth the price of admission, but there are five days a year when you can visit for FREE. They are

Pioneer Day, July 24

Labor Day, 1st Monday in September

Dumke Day, 1st Monday in October

Holiday Open House and Art Fair, 2 days in early December

Free days can be crowded, so go early for the best parking and fewest people. Latecomers my have to park blocks away. You may find more of a festive community atmosphere than a peaceful retreat on these days.

Concerts

Red Butte Garden is a fun concert venue. It is an outdoor amphitheater where you can spread your blanket on the grass and enjoy a picnic during the concert. The acts are mostly folky/indie types that play well in an outdoor venue. Some concerts sell out fast and priority goes to Garden members. Find more information about the upcoming concert season here.

Good to Know

Where: 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City

When: Year-round, but the warm weather months are the most popular time to visit. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 24-January 1.

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 10 and 12, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.